Sparkman Bowling: Brother-Sister Act

HARVEST- The Sparkman High bowling team has a family flavor among the program. The sister-brother combo of Daylin Tolgo, 17, and Dalton Tolgo, 14, are providing the strongest family seasoning helping lead the Senators to what hopes to be a successful run in the current season.

Daylin, a junior, and Dalton, a freshman, both roamed into the sport through their father who is a seasoned bowler and introduced his two children to the sport at age 10. The children to Dale and Delisa Tolgo took their acquaintances with the sport to the next level within the last couple of years and have posted a striking success within their Sparkman team.

“They are competitive bowlers who bring a great depth to the team and it’s great having that sibling love, caring, but yet competitiveness,” said Lisa Ivey head coach of Sparkman. “Daylin is a great leader that has contributed to the team on and off the lanes. Dalton is coming on strong as you would never know he’s a freshman with how much he contributes to the program. It’s going to be great to have him for four years.”

As teammates each stands up for the other and leads with support that shows with enthusiasm. As siblings, the support is even richer and more heartfelt. “I love the fact I’m on the same team as my brother as we have a lot of fun and it makes the season better,” said Daylin.

Dalton acknowledges having his sister on the same team makes the experience of high school bowling much for fun than for most of those on the team. Their closeness makes for good relations. Dalton added, “We share coaching with one another. We cheer one another on to success.”

Daylin hopes to bowl in college where she’s entertaining the idea of studying studio art or photography. She has once played softball, but gave up that endeavor to concentrate on bowling and her attempt to secure a spot in college. She carries a 160 average and finished among the top 10 at the State Bowling Tournament while the Lady Senators took third place a season ago.

Utilizing a big hook, Daylin was asked by her father to try out for the team last season. His suggestion and her “go full force” attitude have propelled her to where she is today.

For Dalton, the 14-year old carries a 180 average and does so with a most unusual style of using two-hands to release the ball after his approach. “My style allows me to put a lot of spin on the ball, but I don’t have a lot of speed on the ball as I try and use finesse on my approach to the sport,” said Dalton.

Just having Dalton on the team is a mere miracle. In April, he understand major surgery where a surgeon inserted a rod along his spine from T2 to L2 as he suffers from scoliosis. His spine was at a 70-degree angle and surgery was a must. He was in the hospital for two weeks and out of school for nearly three months.

“I picked up my first bowling ball about three months after my surgery as I’m completely pain free and my doctor has also cleared me to play baseball, too,” added Dalton.

“For Dalton, this was a great comeback of sort as from ages five to 12 he wore a brace due to his condition,” said Delisa. “We decided to have the surgery as he had quick changes in the degrees of his spine.”

Dalton used the traditional one-hand release for several years but continued to have a swollen thumb, so he chose a two-handed style that has led him to being number three on the team roster.

Daylin is also third on the girl’s squad and spends many of her hours away from school working at the Madison Bowling Center. She averages working 24 hours a week and occasionally picks up a few minutes to try and perfect her bowling talents.

“It’s great as a parent to see them participating in the same sport, doing it together and enjoying it,” added Delisa. “Seeing them get along within the sport is also fun for us. To see Dalton come back is something special.”